QNAP NAS Community Forum

I've just received a second hand QNAP TS-421 NAS enclosure off eBay that I won in a bid and it looks perfect for what I need to host a home backup solution as well as my own media server and remote cloud server for my mobile phone access when I'm out and about.

I don't have any NAS specified drives yet to test it. However, I have found an old 40GB 3.5" HDD I was hoping to test with temporarily. Unfortunately I don't have the correct screws to screw down the HDD into the tray. Could someone please specify what screws I need as my old HDD screws are too big and won't let the HDD slide in at all? They need to be extremely flat but I don't know what to look for if I'm trying to buy a pack of them.

P.S the HDD's I'll be driving will be the WD Red 6TB drives as I've noticed owners mentioning their drives being shallower than the original screws provided by QNAP obviously when they bought they're NAS.

Many thanks

Will

Hi willowen100, and welcome to the forum!

Here's the hardware compatibility list for your NAS. The smallest capacity drive listed is 80GB.

If that 40GB drive is not on the list, it's not a good idea to put it in the NAS.

Is it even SATA? Or is it IDE???

It's an old Hitachi SATA HDD that was in my parents Dell Dimension 5000 (yes very old machine).

Cool.

Well, if this helps, I've just pulled a drive-tray out of my old TS-559 and measured one of the HDD screws.

It's a Philips-head, countersunk, 5mm long, and the head is 5mm across. Thread is same as usual for HDDs.

When it's used to secure the drive to the tray, the head sits perfectly flat with the tray - no protrusion.

Would these be the correct screws?

http://tinypic.com/m/jph9y1/2

willowen100 wrote:Would these be the correct screws?

http://tinypic.com/m/jph9y1/2

No, that's an undercut countersunk (different shape).

You need a countersunk screw. Something like these:

So, the best I can come up with after some more Googling and measurement is:

• Thread - #6 with .32 pitch UNC thread - sometimes shown as 6/32 or 6-32 thread.
• Length - mine are 5mm long, but I think you could use screws up to 8mm long depending on hole-depth and construction of specific HDD.
• Head construction - countersunk - an undercut countersunk might work, but I don't have any here to check.
• Head width - ideally 5.4mm. Should not be any larger though.
• Head type - Phillips, or whatever you want to use.

Thank you for the quick reply.

I've found some UNC 6/32 threads with a 1/4" thread length with equates to 6mm. The description says "0.138"DIA" which I'm assuming is the thread width, which would equate to 3.5mm.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131592415946

willowen100 wrote:I've found some UNC 6/32 threads with a 1/4" thread length with equates to 6mm. The description says "0.138"DIA" which I'm assuming is the thread width, which would equate to 3.5mm.

I could not see the head-width measurement in that listing. You may need to ask the seller about this. If it's too wide, it won't sit correctly in the drive-tray's recessed hole.

OneCD wrote:

willowen100 wrote:I've found some UNC 6/32 threads with a 1/4" thread length with equates to 6mm. The description says "0.138"DIA" which I'm assuming is the thread width, which would equate to 3.5mm.

I could not see the head-width measurement in that listing. You may need to ask the seller about this. If it's too wide, it won't sit correctly in the drive-tray's recessed hole.

I've just messaged the seller. Will get back to you soon as I get a reply.

The heads on the screws supplied (and required) are extremely small and flat, it's at least 120° (standards are 90°), head outer diameter is about 5.3 mm max.

Go to a local computer shop. I'm sure they will have the screws you need.

Hey guys I still unfortunately haven't found any screws as the guy from eBay never got back to me. I've also looked around on the web but don't seem to have any luck. If I contacted QNAP are they likely to just send me some screws. I'm not wasting money on new trays just to get replacement screws. That's just clearly ripping me off.

willowen100 wrote:Hey guys I still unfortunately haven't found any screws as the guy from eBay never got back to me. I've also looked around on the web but don't seem to have any luck. If I contacted QNAP are they likely to just send me some screws. I'm not wasting money on new trays just to get replacement screws. That's just clearly ripping me off.

did you try making a support ticket to qnap explaining about the screws. i'm sure they can work something out for you

willowen100 wrote:I've also looked around on the web but don't seem to have any luck.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8x-ORIGINAL-QNA ... Sw-kdXyV24

I think you'd be safe with these.